1000 Years Of Joys And Sorrows By Ai Weiwei

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Growing Up In Little Siberia

20211101

20211102 (R4)

The artist and social activist tells of his harsh childhood spent in a remote part of China known as 'Little Siberia', the place where his exiled father was sent during China's Cultural Revolution. Benedict Wong reads.

In this memoir by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of Ai Weiwei's father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story.

Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. He is well known for his role as Wong in Dr Strange, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo.

Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959

Written by Ai Weiwei

Translated by Allan H. Barr

Abridged by Penny Leicester

Ai Weiwei's memoir tells of a childhood spent in exile on the edge of a remote desert.

The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.

Paris

20211102

20211103 (R4)

The celebrated artist and activist reflects on his father, the acclaimed poet Ai Qing who spent his formative years in 1920s Paris, before turning to the uncertainties of his own youth. Benedict Wong reads from Ai Weiwei's intimate memoir.

Here one of the art world's superstars charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of his father, Ai Qing arguably China's most famous poets. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story.

Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's searing play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. He is well known for playing Wong in Dr Strange, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo.

Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959

Written by Ai Weiwei

Translated by Allan H. Barr

Abridged by Penny Leicester

The artist and activist's memoir turns to his father, poet Ai Qing, and his Paris years.

The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.

The American Years

20211103

20211104 (R4)

In his compelling memoir, the world-famous artist looks back on the 1980s and his years in America where his artistic vision and social activism first evolved. Benedict Wong reads.

In this intimate account by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of his father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story.

Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. For Marvel fans, he is known for playing Wong in Dr Strange, and most recently in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo.

Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959

Written by Ai Weiwei

Translated by Allan H. Barr

Abridged by Penny Leicester

The celebrated artist and activist's memoir turns to the 1980s and his years in America.

The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.

The Wenchuan Earthquake

20211104

20211105 (R4)

By 2008 Ai Weiwei is an internationally acclaimed artist, but when he sets out to commemorate the victims of an earthquake in Wenchuan, his relationship with China's authorities reaches breaking point. Benedict Wong reads.

In this intimate memoir by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of Ai Weiwei's father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story.

Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at the Hampstead Theatre in 2013. For Marvel fans, he is known for playing Wong in Dr Strange. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo.

Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959

Written by Ai Weiwei

Translated by Allan H. Barr

Abridged by Penny Leicester

In his memoir the acclaimed artist and activist has an encounter with China's authorities.

The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.

Detention

20211105

20211106 (R4)

The internationally acclaimed artist and activist's memoir turns to his detention in 2011, and he considers why freedom is precious. Benedict Wong reads.

In this intimate and compelling memoir by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of Ai Weiwei's father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story.

Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at the Hampstead Theatre in 2013. For Marvel fans, he is known for playing Wong in Dr Strange. He has also played Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo.

Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959

Written by Ai Weiwei

Translated by Allan H. Barr

Abridged by Penny Leicester

The internationally acclaimed artist and activist's memoir turns to his detention in 2011.

The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Growing Up In Little Siberia	20211101	20211102 (R4)	The artist and social activist tells of his harsh childhood spent in a remote part of China known as 'Little Siberia', the place where his exiled father was sent during China's Cultural Revolution. Benedict Wong reads. In this memoir by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of Ai Weiwei's father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story. Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. He is well known for his role as Wong in Dr Strange, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo. Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959 Written by Ai Weiwei Translated by Allan H. Barr Abridged by Penny Leicester Ai Weiwei's memoir tells of a childhood spent in exile on the edge of a remote desert. The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.
02	Paris	20211102	20211103 (R4)	The celebrated artist and activist reflects on his father, the acclaimed poet Ai Qing who spent his formative years in 1920s Paris, before turning to the uncertainties of his own youth. Benedict Wong reads from Ai Weiwei's intimate memoir. Here one of the art world's superstars charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of his father, Ai Qing arguably China's most famous poets. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story. Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's searing play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. He is well known for playing Wong in Dr Strange, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo. Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959 Written by Ai Weiwei Translated by Allan H. Barr Abridged by Penny Leicester The artist and activist's memoir turns to his father, poet Ai Qing, and his Paris years. The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.
03	The American Years	20211103	20211104 (R4)	In his compelling memoir, the world-famous artist looks back on the 1980s and his years in America where his artistic vision and social activism first evolved. Benedict Wong reads. In this intimate account by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of his father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story. Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei in 2013. For Marvel fans, he is known for playing Wong in Dr Strange, and most recently in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo. Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959 Written by Ai Weiwei Translated by Allan H. Barr Abridged by Penny Leicester The celebrated artist and activist's memoir turns to the 1980s and his years in America. The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.
04	The Wenchuan Earthquake	20211104	20211105 (R4)	By 2008 Ai Weiwei is an internationally acclaimed artist, but when he sets out to commemorate the victims of an earthquake in Wenchuan, his relationship with China's authorities reaches breaking point. Benedict Wong reads. In this intimate memoir by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of Ai Weiwei's father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story. Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at the Hampstead Theatre in 2013. For Marvel fans, he is known for playing Wong in Dr Strange. He plays Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo. Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959 Written by Ai Weiwei Translated by Allan H. Barr Abridged by Penny Leicester In his memoir the acclaimed artist and activist has an encounter with China's authorities. The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.
05	Detention	20211105	20211106 (R4)	The internationally acclaimed artist and activist's memoir turns to his detention in 2011, and he considers why freedom is precious. Benedict Wong reads. In this intimate and compelling memoir by one of the art world's superstars, Ai Weiwei charts his journey as an artist and a human rights activist. It also tells the story of Ai Weiwei's father, Ai Qing arguably China's most celebrated poet. During the Cultural Revolution Ai Qing was banished, along with his sons Ai Weiwei and Gao Jian, to a remote region of China. He was subjected to degrading work, while Ai Weiwei endured a harsh childhood. Later, aged 19 Ai Weiwei left for America where he studied art. Later, his career as a major artist took off with projects like his installation of 100 million ceramic sunflower seeds at Tate Modern. Ai Weiwei's art has always been informed by his social activism. His criticism of China, and especially its human rights record, has brought him to the attention of the authorities, culminating in his detention in 2011. While imprisoned he reflected on his father's life, and thoughts of his own son, Ai Lao occupied him. Fathers and sons, China's totalitarianism, the role of art, freedom of expression, and the need to protect it at all cost, are at the heart of this inspiring life story. Benedict Wong reads, he played Ai Weiwei in Howard Brenton's play, The Arrest of Ai Weiwei at the Hampstead Theatre in 2013. For Marvel fans, he is known for playing Wong in Dr Strange. He has also played Kublai Khan in the acclaimed Netflix series Marco Polo. Photo: Ai Weiwei with Ai Qing at Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, November 1959 Written by Ai Weiwei Translated by Allan H. Barr Abridged by Penny Leicester The internationally acclaimed artist and activist's memoir turns to his detention in 2011. The world-famous Chinese artist and activist's memoir of his extraordinary life.